Free Clinics Grant Program

The American Academy of Family Physicians Foundation advances the values of family medicine by promoting humanitarian, educational, and scientific initiatives that improve the health of all people. To that end, the academy is accepting applications to its Family Medicine Cares USA program.

Launched in 2011, the program is designed to help new and existing free clinics care for the uninsured in areas of need across the United States by providing grants of up to $25,000 for the purchase of items such as exam tables, EHR systems, and medical equipment. Family Medicine Cares USA also gives AAFP members, residents, and students the opportunity to volunteer their time and talents.

As of 2016, the program had awarded a total of $340,829 to thirteen new clinics and seventeen existing clinics.

To be eligible, applicants must be a new clinic nearing completion of the Volunteers in Medicine (VIM) clinic development process and have an AAFP member in a leadership role within the clinic. Primary consideration will be given to clinics with an AAFP member serving as medical director and to those that have family medicine residents and/or medical students involved as volunteers.

The application deadline is September 15 at 5:00 CST. Application materials must be requested from the AAFP Foundation. See the AAFP Foundation website for complete program guidelines, a fact sheet, and application instructions.